
Class _::e.s.i..£o_:i 

Book_-_--A-5Ji±J38 



Copyright N^. 



A^i)7 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr. 



BY THE SEA 



AND OTHER VERSES 



By 
H. Lavinia Baily 




BOSTON 
RICHARD G. BADGER 

1907 



Copyright 1907 by H. Lavinia Baily 



All Rights Reserved 



LIBRARY of CONQRESS I 
Two Cooles Received 

APJ* 29 !907 

/ Copw^ient Entry ^ 
ClASS A 'iXc., No. 
fcOHY B. 5 






The Gorham Press, Boston 



CONTENTS 



^4" Myself and You 7 

4-. By the Sea 8 

At the Close of the Year 14 

Risen 16 

Elizabeth Crowned 18 

Who is Sufficient 19 

Peace 21 

Boys and Girls 22 

A Smile .'. 23 

A Sparrow Alone on the Housetop 24 

To Mother 24 

Psalm CXXI 25 

To R. T. B 26 

On New Year, 1897 27 

To Anna 27 

A Song of Tens 28 

Jessica 29 

Transition 29 

To A. H. B 30 

To Winnie 31 

A Life Work 32 

Visions 32 

Be Ye also Ready 39 

Mimosa 40 



At the Crisis 4i 

On the Death of Dr. James E. Rhoads 42 

Eternal Youth 43 

Building Time 44 

Sunrise 45 

Neal Dow 47 

"Paradise will Pay for AH" 48 

Forgiveness 49 

A Lost Song? 51 

A New Earth 52 

Recall 53 

Philistia's Triumph 54 

The White Ribbon Army 55 

Christmas 57 

"A Day in June" 57 

To-day 59 

Losing Victories 59 

Not Mine 61 

In the Desert 61 

A Phantom in the "Circle" 62 

A Valentine 66 

A Convention Hymn 66 

A Collection Song 67 

The Ballad of the Boundary Line 68 

Margaret Lee 7i 

Soaring Upward 74 

The End of the Road 75 



BY THE SEA 

AND OTHER VERSES 



MYSELF AND YOU 

There are only myself and you in the world, 

There are only myself and you ; 
'Tis clear, then, that I unto you should be kind, 

And that you unto me should be true. 

And if I unto you could be always kind, 

And you unto me could be true, 
Then the criminal courts might all be adjourned, 

And the sword would have nothing to do. 

A few fertile acres are all that I need, — 
Not more than a hundred or two, — 

And the great, wide earth holds enough, I am sure, 
Enough for myself and for you. 

The sweet air of heaven is free to us all ; 

Upon all fall the rain and the dew ; 
And the glorious sun in his cycle of light 

Shines alike on myself and on you. 

The infinite love is as broad as the sky, 

And as deep as the ocean's blue, 
We may breathe it, bathe in it, live in it, aye, 

It is life for myself and for you. 



VERSES 

And the Christ who came when the angels sang 

Will come, if the song we renew, 
And reign in his kingdom, — the Prince of 
Peace, — 

Reigning over myself and you. 

O, then, may I be unto you always kind. 

And be you unto me always true ; 
So the land may rest from its turmoil and strife, 
And the sword may have nothing to do. 



BY THE SEA 

AN ARGUMENT FOR PEACE 

"You do but dream ; the world will never see 
Such time as this you picture, when the sword 

Shall lie inglorious in its sheath, and be 

No more of valorous deeds incentive or re- 
ward." 

The ocean breezes fanned them where they sat, 
At leisure from life's conflict, toil and care. 

Yet not unthoughtful, nor unmindful that 
In all its weal and woe they held their share. 

The rose-light charm and pride of earliest youth 
A chastening touch had toned to lovelier hue. 

And the white soul of purity and truth 

Looked out alike from eyes of brown and blue. 

"I covet your fair hope," he spake again, 
"I cannot share it ; all the hoary past 

Denies that mightier prowess of the pen 

The poet claims, and proves it still surpassed 



VERSES 9 

"By sword and musket and the arts of war. 

And 'twere not so, — the query will return, 
Albeit such conflict we must all abhor — 

How should the fires of patriotism burn? 

"Their flames are kindled by the flash of arms, 
And fed by recount of heroic deed ; 

The sanguinary story has its charms 
Tho the heart sicken o'er it as we read. 

"And what were Greece without her Marathon? 
Or Rome, had not her Caesars fought and won? 
How reigns Britannia, Empress near and far, 
But for her Waterloo and Trafalgar? 

"And we, know not our souls a quickening thrill 
At thought of Lexington and Bunker Hill? 
And with a pride no rival passion mars 
Greet we not now our glorious Stripes and Stars? 

"Yes, friend, I own your theory is fine ; 
I grant your outlook far exceedeth mine 

In excellence and beauty, in its scope 
Embracing that millennial age of bliss 
The spirit pants for while it chafes in this ; 

I covet, tho I cannot share, your hope." 

"My hope," she answered, smiling, "is a faith ; 

The kingdoms of this world are yet to be 
The kingdoms of our blessed Lord, the Christ; — 
Lord of all life thro' dire and vengeful death — 

Wrought thro' such sacrifice, unspared, un- 
priced, 

His word and purpose must fulfilment see, 



lo VERSES 

And realms by mountains bounded or by seas 
Must own allegiance to the Prince of Peace. 

'"I yield to none" — and as she spoke there sped 

Across the opal beauty of the sea 
A light-winged vessel, bearing at its head 

The starry emblem of the brave and free — 

"I yield to none in loyalty and love 

For yon bright banner, but I hold it still 

As token to the world, all else above. 

Of peace on earth and unto man good will. 

"God gave His land to be the home of man ; 

And all that brightens and upbuilds the home 
Uplifts humanity; tramp, tribe and clan, 

Knowing no hearthstone, are content to roam, 

"But drawing nearer God the man returns 
And rears his household altar. In some quest 

The feet may wander, but the heart still yearns 
For the soft home-light and the quiet rest. 

"Think yet again, good brother, is it not 
From off such altar, whether it may glow 

In princely palace or in lowliest cot. 

That the true flame of country-love must flow? 

While that enkindled by the flash of arms 

Is a 'strange fire,' consuming while it charms. 

"Lives Greece less nobly in her Parthenon, 
In what her Solons wrote, her poets sang, 

Than in the gastly pride of Marathon, 

And kindred fields where victors' praises rang? 



VERSES II 

"And we, enriched thro' Commerce, Letters, Art, 
Forgot our earUer grievances and scars, 

Are we not ready for a better part? 

Have we not now outgrown our need of wars? 

"Surely it should be so," he made reply; 

"The sated earth cries out against the flow 
Of human blood : 'How long? how long?' The cry 

Must pierce the heavens from writhing hearts 
below. 

"But men heed not ; the glamor and the gain 
Of warfare blind them to its sin and pain ; 
They know not pity and they count not cost 
Till armies meet and life and cause are lost. 

"Would they but listen 'twere an errand blest 
To plead against oppressor for oppressed ; 
Would they but follow it were joy indeed 
Up the white hills of truth and peace to lead. 

"But, ah ! the multitudes are gone astray. 
The powerful of the earth will have their way ; 
What profit, sister, in our prayers and tears? 
Why mar the spring-time gladness of our years 

"In vain pursuit of universal good ? 
In fruitless care for earth's vast brotherhood? 
Glad would I grasp such work could I but see. 
Or near, or far, your hoped-for victory." 

"Whether they hear," she answered, "or forbear, 
'Tis ours with signal truths to light the skies ; 

God's promises and warnings to declare ; — 
How can men follow if no leader rise? 



12 VERSES 

"The Christ shall be the victor ; O my friend, 
Why do we limit His almighty power 

Who sees from far beginning to the end? 
Whose day may be an aeon or an hour? 

"The sea is His ; He made it ; and His word 
Can speak its wildest tumult into calm; 

As He may will its deepest founts are stirred, 
Or surface-ripples breathe a praiseful psalm. 

"As well His power the rise and fall doth sway 
Of human passion, tho He suffer long; 

The puny pride of man shall yet obey 

The mandate of the Only Wise and Strong. 

"But God would have the children of His grace 
In this great reclamation have a share ; 

And each in his appointed hour and place 

Must stand, or other brow his crown will wear." 

She paused, and o'er them, as with magic spell, 
For a brief space a holy silence fell ; 
Then while the sunset crimson of the sky 
Set ocean all a-blush, he made reply: 

"Reason and candor justify your claim; 
The Infinite is infinite in all ; 

The Power that touches into life that flame 
Holds earth and heaven subject to His call, 
And at His fiat peoples rise and fall. 

"Your dauntless zeal doth shame my coward 
heart ; 
Your word of faith my courage doth inspire ; 
I see 'tis only noble to have part 



VERSES 13 

In moral contest; not to fan the fire 
Of a false glory, which must ever feed 
On souls that perish, and on hearts that bleed, 

"And this I gather from your earnest plea; — 
That souls which walk in light and see the way 

To heights of truth yet unattained, must be 
Fore-runners for their Lord, must work and 

pray 
For the incoming of the perfect day. 

"Join we in this sweet service ; cherish still 
The trust that gives you courage for the fight ; 

Your 'peaceful war' on all that's base and ill, 
Your patient battle for the pure, the right. 
Let us press on and mount the hills of light." 

The ocean murmur fell upon their ears 

Sweeter than bird-song or the voice of mirth. 

As beamed her answering smile, thro' grateful 
tears, 
While her lips whispered only "Peace on earth." 

"Peace ! peace !" — the evening zephyrs caught the 
strain, 
The wavelets sent the word across the sea; 
Exultant Nature trilled the glad refrain ; — 
"Peace ! peace ! The Christ is come, and peace 
shall be !" 



14 VERSES 



AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 

Neighbor, neighbor, prithee stay ; 
Wherefore hasten on thy way? 
Give a moment's heed to me, 
I would asi<: a thing of thee. 

Neighbor, days and months have fled, 
Seasons one by one have sped, 
And to-night I greet thee here 
At the passing of the year. 

'Tis the time of reckoning now. 
Of new resolves and annual vow ; 
Time of straightening ugly crooks. 
And careful balancing of books. 

Pardon if I now demand 
How accounts of thine may stand ; 
Hast thou rendered, fair and true, 
Unto every man his due? 

Hast thou given timely heed 
To thy poorer brother's need? 
Hath thy strong arm been a stay 
To the weaker on the way? 

When didst thou a joy impart 
To thy sister, sad at heart ! 
When didst thou her grief beguile 
With the sunshine of thy smile? 

When the heavy-laden came 

Didst thou breathe a Saviour's name? 



VERSES 15 

When temptations fierce did prove 
Didst thou whisper of His love? 

When hosts of evil have assailed, 
And against the right prevailed, 
Hast thou still undaunted stood 
Pleading for the pure and good? 

When — but neighbor, this is strange! 
While T question comes a change : 
All that I have asked of thee 
Comes for answer back to me. 

Comes, against my wish and will, 
Comes and sets my heart a-thrill ; 
Comes with terrors of the law. 
Filling me with fear and awe. 

Strange transition ! Can it mean ? — 
The marvel of this shifting scene — 
Yes, I read the mystery now. 
Neighbor, mine own soul art thou. 

Now, my soul, 'tis thine to say 
How the record stands to-day 
Give account of loss or gain. 
Talent used or spent in vain. 

All unwitting how they sped 
I my listed queries read ; 
Raised the duty-standard high, 
Challenged measurement thereby. 



i6 VERSES 

While I queried came a change, 
Silent, solemn, passing strange ;- 
Neighbor glided into mist, 
Soul and self were keeping tryst. 

And the queries come anew : 
Soul of mine, be brave and true ; 
Lo ! our books we balance now ; 
I have questioned ; answer thou. 



RISEN 

"He is risen ; He is risen. 

Here His empty tomb you see ; 
And He goeth as He told you 

To the hills of Galilee." 
Thus to loving, loyal women, 

In the centuries agone. 
Angel voices told the story 

Of the resurrection morn. 

He is risen ! He is risen ! 

Years hand down the glad refrain ; 

Let the ages on to ages 

Waft the tidings yet again. 
He who near the Bethlehem manger 

Lowly child of earth was born. 
King of kings reigns all triumphant 

Since the resurrection morn. 

Christ is risen ! Calvary's anguish 
All a lost world's ransom paid ; 

Then, with tears, "the hope of Israel" 
In the new-made tomb was laid. 



VERSES 17 

Deep and dark the desolation 

Falling with that night forlorn; 
Radiant the dawn awakening 

With the resurrection morn. 

He has risen ! By this token 

We with Him shall rise again; 
Faith shall vanquish doubt and terror, 

Joy shall banish grief and pain. 
No more fear of sin's temptation, 

No more dread of hatred's scorn, 
O the glory purchased for us 

On the resurrection morn ! 

Christ is risen ! Bow before Him, 

To His courts an offering bring; 
Suffering Lord and Lamb victorious, 

Crown Him Conquerer, Priest and King. 
Robe of light for robe of mocking, 

Diadem for crown of thorn, 
Wears He now, and in His likeness 
Rise we, satisfied, immortal, 

In the resurrection morn. 



i8 VERSES 

ELIZABETH CROWNED 

Elizabeth of Hungary, a widow at the age of twenty, was sought 
in marriage by Frederick II., Emperor of Germany. She, having taken 
a vow never to marry again, declined his ofTer, and devoted her life 
to deeds of kindness and charity. She died at the age of twenty-four, 
and was canonized as a saint by Gregory IX. At this ceremony Fred- 
erick placed upon her head a golden crown, saying, "Since thou wouldst 
not be crowned as my Empress, I crown thee to-day as an immortal 
Queen in the kingdom of God." 

When once I saw thee, fair, yet sad and lone, — 
Tho wealth and beauty waited at thy hand — 

I would have crowned thee, saintly one, mine own ; 

Glad would have had thee share with me my 
throne. 
Bride of my heart, and Empress of my land ! 

But thou wert wedded to thy valiant dead. 

And to the service of a Christ-like love; 

So by thy hand the suffering poor were led, 

And from thy bounty were the hungry fed. 

Till came thy summons to the Court Above. 

Now hast thou passed from tears and pain away, 
Thine ear hath caught the heavenly melodies ; — 

So be it mine, with reverent touch, to-day. 

On thy fair head this diadem to lay. 

And crown thee Queen immortal for the skies ! 



VERSES 19 

WHO IS SUFFICIENT? 

Six-and-thirty little mortals 

Coming to be taught ; 
And mine that most "delightful task 

To rear the tender thought." 
Merry, mischief-loving children. 

Thoughtless, glad and gay, 
Loving lessons — "just a little," 

Dearly loving play. 

Six-and-thirty souls immortal. 

Coming to be fed ; 
Needing "food convenient for them," 

As their daily bread. 
Bright and happy little children, 

Innocent and free, 
Coming here their life-long lessons 

Now to learn of me. 

Listen to the toilsome routine, 

List, and answer them, 
For these things who is sufficient 

'Mong the sons of men? 
Now they, at the well-known summons, 

Cease their busy hum ; 
And, some with pleasure, some reluctant, 

To the school-room come. 

Comes a cunning little urchin 

With defiant eye, 
^'Making music" with his marbles 

As he passes by. 
But, alas ! the pretty toys are 

Taken from him soon. 



20 VERSES 

And the music-loving Willie 
Strikes another tune ! 

Comes a lisping little beauty, 

Scarce five summers old ; 
Baby voice and blue eyes pleading, 

"Please, misth, I'm stho cold!" 
Little one, the world is chilly. 

All too cold for thee ; 
From its storms "Our Father" shield thee, 

And thy refuge be. 

While I turn to caution Johnny 

Not to make such noise ; 
Mary parses: "Earth's an adverb. 

In the passive voice." 
Well, indeed, it must be passive, 

Else it is not clear 
How such open language-murder. 

Goes unpunished here. 

"Second Reader Class" reciting — 

"Lesson verse or prose?" 
None in all the class is certain ; 

Each one thinks he knows. 
"Well," is queried then, "the difference 

Who can now define?" 
Answers Rob: "In verse they never 

Finish out the line !" 

Boy, thy thought doth strangely thrill me,. 

And as hours roll on, 
Hears my heart a solemn query: 

Is my day's work done? 
Do I make of this my life-task 

Prose or idle rhyme ? 



VERSES 21 



Do I in the sight of Heaven 
Finish out the Hne ? 

Oh, it is "too fine a knowledge" 

For our mortal sight, 
All these restless little creatures 

How to lead aright. 
He who prayeth while he worketh, 

Taking lessons still 
Of the Friend of little children, 

Learning all His will ; 

He alone can walk before them 

Worthily and well ; 
He alone of life's strange language 

Can the meaning tell. 
May I then with heart as tender 

As a little child 
Lead my flock ; and Father, keep them 

Pure and undefiled. 



PEACE 

O blessed peace, that floweth like a river. 
Unstayed, unwearied, ever on and on ; 

That hath its fount and spring in Christ the giver. 
And finds its ocean round the great white 
Throne. 

O peace of God, that passeth understanding, 
Thou art the answer to my soul's long quest ; 

Doubts, fears and sins, their serried hosts dis- 
banding, 
I leave, launch on thy wave, and anchored, rest. 



22 VERSES 

BOYS AND GIRLS 

We were "seven in all," as the dear rustic maid 

To the poet so sweetly protested ; 
And together we rambled and studied and played, 
Each imbibing a share of the sunshine and shade 

Wherewith our young life was invested. 

And black eyes and blue eyes and brown eyes 
and gray 

Looked up to the face of our mother, 
As she led us in study in labor or play. 
Or told of "Our Father," and taught us to pray, 

And to cherish and love one another. 

O, the rapture of being when life is a-tune 

With the song-life and beauty of morning; 
When the roseate dawn brightens into the noon. 
And the year hastens on to the splendor of June, 
In her fragrance and matchless adorning. 

So our years flitted by and the youngest of all — 

Our dark-eyed and fun-loving brother — 
Was grown to be manly and lithesome and tall. 
And to couteous titles we answered the call, 
But were still "boys" and "girls" to each other. 

O, the joy of endeavor, endurance and toil 

On thro' summer-time vigor and sweetness, 
Of triumph o'er that which would hinder or foil. 
Of the patience of hope after tears and turmoil, 
In the glory of autumn's completeness. 

And the toil and the turmoil and tears have been 
ours — 
From our ranks we have missed a loved brother 



VERSES 



23 



We've encountered the thorns, but we've cher- 
ished the flowers ; 

We've passed under the clouds on to sunnier 
hours, 
And we're still "boys" and "girls" to each other. 

A SMILE 

The gliding of a fairy form 

And rosy lips that knew no guile, 
With wonder parted, came to ask, 

"Papa, what is a smile?" 

A smile, whate'er it is, then stole 

That gentle parent's features o'er; 
For ne'er to him had been proposed 

Query so strange before. 

But while he pondered in his heart 

How he should to his child reply, 
A new, triumphant joy lit up 

Her loving, lustrous eye; — 

And with this gladsome, new-found thought. 

She answered in her own behalf: 
"Oh, now, I know ; a smile must be 

The whisper to a laugh!" 



24 VERSES 

"A SPARROW ALONE ON THE HOUSETOP '* 

Sing, little sparrow, sing thy song. 

No peril neareth thee ; 
Tho night be dark or day be long, 
Or clouds hang low, sing on, sing on, 

The dear God heareth thee. 

Sing, little bird, whate'er befall — 

Trill out thine utmost need ; 
Thou canst not soar, thou canst not fall 
But He will note who knoweth all. 

And He thy plaint will heed. 

O little sparrow, far and high 

Thy soft notes God-ward go, 
And I with thee send up my cry, 
And both shall somewhere find reply, 

God carcth for us so. 

TO MOTHER 

O mother, from thy home beyond the stars 
Hast thou not known the yearning of thy child 
For thy sweet love? Hast thou not heard her 
wild 

And piteous moaning for thy soft caress? 

Felt her heart's aching for the tenderness 
And the low patience of thy loving voice ? 

Hast thou not seen her 'mid life's toils and jars, 

Pant as a bird behind its prison bars, 

For freedom to fly forth and be with thee? 

And canst thou not, sweet mother, send reply? 

Oh, thro' the depths of glory, thro' the sky. 
Look for one moment down and sav to me 



VERSES 25 

That all of loss on earth thou findest to be 
Great gain in heaven ; that thou dost rejoice 
In all that was, and is, and shall betide 
At last to all ; and that, in Him who died, 

Yet liveth evermore, I, too, shall see 

All discord blended into harmony; 
And that I, too, shall be, as thou art, satisfied. 



PSALM CXXI 

INSCRIBED TO MY SISTER, R. S. B. 

Lift Up thine eyes unto the hills ; 

A pure and fragrant breath 
Is wafted from their purple tops, — 

The Heaven-sent breath of Faith. 

Lift up thine eyes unto the hills; 

Beyond their shadowy slope 
The Sun of Righteousness doth rise 

In roseate dawn of Hope. 

Lift up thine eyes unto the hills; 

Around, below, above. 
The holy sky is all aglow 

With the warm light of Love. 

Lift up thine eyes unto the hills ; — 
Faith, Hope and Love are given 

To point from fading joys of earth, 
To endless joy of Heaven. 



26 VERSES 

TO R. T. B. 

ON HER MARRIAGE DAY 

Sister, we know 
That God is good, and He hath led us on 
By pleasant ways or painful to this day. 
Our lives went on together until now. 
In childhood and in youth the same fond home 
Hath been our earthly refuge ; the same Rock 
Our shelter when earth had no rest or shade. 
At the same fancy we have often smiled. 
For the same sorrow wept ; and oft our souls, 
In mingling aspirations, have sent up 
The same thanksgiving, the same burning prayer. 
Yes, we have lived together; we have known 
The visible blending of the outward life 
Made real by the holier unison 
Of loving spirit and aspiring mind. 
The spells of joy have bound us — and of hope, 
And tears — which are the diamond links of love — 
Have made the chain of our affection strong. 
It may be thus no more ; yet — God is good — 
I hush the moaning of my riven heart, 
And smile that thou art happy ; and give thanks 
That thy sweet life, rejoicing, hath put on 
Its richest diadem, its crown of love. 
May the kind Father grant that crown to be 
All worthy of the wearer; may His smile 
Lend brightness to it ever ; and at last. 
When it is laid with earthly robes away, 
O may the infinite and eternal Love 
Rest like a glory on thy radiant brow. 



VERSES 27 

ON NEW YEAR, 1897 

TO G. D. AND S. F. B. 

God bless you thro' this bright new year, 

The first you spend together ; 
Give peace and trust thro' cloudy days, 

Joy in its sunny weather. 

And may the days as days go by. 

Still richer seem and sweeter, 
And passing seasons make your lives 

In every good completer. 

There are not words to tell the love 

In which I could caress you; 
Your dear united names I breathe. 

And once more pray, God bless you. 

TO ANNA 

ON HER SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY 

Sixteen! and life to thee looks bright and fair; — 
A book unread, rose-tinted, golden edged, 

Encased in binding curious, costly, rare ; — 
And all the years to be thou boldest pledged 

To give thee from its pages, day by day. 

Readings to cheer and bless the blithesome way. 

And life is such a volume, only thou, 

From garnered storage of the heart and mind. 

Must fill unwritten pages, and allow 

Fair pictures — of pure thought, of self resigned, 

Of kindly deeds — each new-made page to grace ; — 

How blest if none thou, later, woulds't efface ! 



28 VERSES 

Sixteen ! A May-day in the path of Hfe, 
A marvelous puzzle on the finger twirled ; 

Sixteen again ; a stir of earnest strife 
And toil and tumult in a restless world; 

Repeated still, — a patient, steadfast hold 

On good attained, — ripe fruit, and grain of gold. 

Sixteen once more ! Serene in shade or sun, 
A brighter outlook now ; existence grand ! 

Content in hopes fulfilled, in victories won, 
Mingling with holier yearnings for that land, 

Whose o'er-flown radiance and whose surplus 
bliss 

Have been the glory and the joy of this. 



A SONG OF TENS 

TO MARY 

At the tenth birthday all the world looks fair; 
The twentieth scarcely shades it with a care ; 
At the third decade life soars grand and high; 
But with the fourth its heyday passes by. 

The fifth comes on, — a century's half is told ; 
The sixth, — our little girl is growing old. 
Another half-score milestone passed, and then 
We've reached the allotted three-score years and 
ten. 

Years may be added ; should they come to thee 
May Faith and Wisdom their companion be ; 
Hope thy sure anchor ; Peace with thee abide, 
And Love still be thy light at eventide. 



VERSES 29 

JESSICA 

A gentleman once wrote of Elizabeth Fry: "Her name has long 
been a word of beauty in our household." 

Make thy name a word of beauty, 

Like the hly pure and fair, 
From its perfumed cup exhaling 

Sweetest fragrance on the air. 

Make thy name a word of beauty 

Lustrous as the ocean pearl ; 
Constant in life's loving service. 

Guileless through youth's mazy whirl. 

Make thy name a word of beauty, 

Radiant, steadfast, like a star; 
Shedding from a glowing center 

Love's effulgence near and far. 

Aye, we greet thee, rare-sweet maiden, 

(Make it evermore thy right), 
Jessica — our word of beauty, 

Lily, pearl, and star of light. 



TRANSITION 

Out of the blindness and the night 
Into clear and constant light. 

Out of the weariness and pain 
Into everlasting gain. 

Out of the toil and durance hard 
Into rest and rich reward. 



30 VERSES 

Out of the doubting and distress 
Into certain blessedness. 

Out of the dusty lanes of care 
Into pastures green and fair. 

Out of the glaring desert sun 

To shades where cooling waters run. 

Out of the din of woe and wrong 
Into choral waves of song 

Out of the dwelling, worn and old, 
Into the city of pearl and gold. 

Where now, O Death, where is thy sting? 
Thou art the summons to the King. 

O Grave, where is thy victory? 
Thou art the gateway to the free ! 



TO A. H. B. 

A ''commencement'' greeting 

With Portraits of Eminent Authors 

Dear Hallam, with this trifling gift 
Best wishes now I send thee ; 

Through all thy future life may joy 
And grace and peace attend thee. 

May this the bright beginning be 
Of days love-crowned and royal ; 

May griefs and faults and foes be few, 
Friends manifold and loyal. 



VERSES 31 

May gems from authors such as these 

Store well thy mental coffer, 
But for thy heart's enrichment please 

Accept the love I offer. 
1882 

TO WINNIE 

ON HER WEDDING DAY 

Stars will shine on, tho thou art gone, 

But we shall miss the gleaming 
Of one bright eye's responsive smile. 

And love-light softly beaming. 

And flowers will bloom, — but we shall miss 

A fragrance and a beauty 
That brightened for us here and there 

The sombre path of duty. 

And friends will greet us on our way, 

But we shall miss the sweetness 
Of a fair presence that hath made 

So much of life's completeness. 

And yet 'tis well ; we give thee joy. 

And pray with this caressing; 
That love and peace without alloy 

May be thy bridal blessing. 



32 VERSES 

A LIFE WORK 

IN MEMORY OF DANIEL HILL 

He heard the cry of man enslaved 

In bonds and servile toil ; 
And gave his voice for freedom till 

The "Freedman" tilled "free-soil." 

He saw his weaker brother reel, 
Pierced by Drink's poisoned dart, 

And wrought and wrote with fervent zeal 
To stay the Tempter's art. 

He heard the clash of sword and gun 

In deadly battle-strife ; 
And pleaded till his day was done 

For Love's sweet rule in life. 

He rests in peace. Who now shall wear 

The mantle he let fall? 
Who teach as he the Father-love, 

The brotherhood of all ? 



VISIONS 

I saw when Israel toiled and groaned beneath 

the Pharoah's rod. 
And in his hopeless bondage moaned his helpless 

prayer to God. 

I saw when from the river's brink the infant 

leader rose. 
Who, reared in Egypt's royal court, still felt his 
brothers' woes. 



VERSES 33 

I heard him at the burning bush his swift excuses 

bring: 
"Who, who am I, that I should stand before the 

Egyptian king? 

"And who am I that I should lead the people of 

thy choice? 
My warning word they will not heed, nor hearken 

to my voice. 

"And who am I that I should move a monarch to 

relent ? 
I, but a man, and slow of speech, nor wise, nor 

eloquent." 

I marked the answer: "Plead no more thy vain 

excuse to me ; 
I am the Lord ; my servant thou ; my glory thou 

shalt see. 

"I am the Lord ; the power is mine ; 'tis thine to 

hear and do ; 
The Lord almighty is to save, by many or by 

few." 

The man of doubt exchanged his fears for faith 

in God and right, 
While meek obedience on his brow sat like a crown 

of light. 

The slow of speech grew eloquent, till Israel 

gladly heard ; 
And bolder waxed the Leader, till the king's hard 

heart was stirred, 



34 VERSES 

And he in fierce displeasure drove the captives 

from his land ; 
Not knowing their deliverance was all divinely 

planned. 

Down the long line of two-score years I looked 
and saw at last, 

The blissful view from Pisgah's height; the Jor- 
dan safely passed ; 

And heard — as Memnon's harp had caught the 

sweet enchanting strain, 
And sent adown the waves of time brave Miriam's 

glad refrain — 

"Sing, for the Lord hath triumphed ; sing, great 

wonders can he do ; 
The Lord is mighty and can save by many or by 

few." 

I saw again, when sin-enslaved, by Jabin's hand 

oppressed, 
A people's cry went up to God for rescue and for 

rest. 

Then up rose Deborah, judge and seer, with all 

her valiant band, 
. '• nd drove the oppressor from her gates, his 

chariots from her land. 

And Jael. wife of Heber, slew his captain with 

the sword ; 
So woman's hand achieved that day the victory 

for the Lord. 

And woman's voice extolled in song the great 
Deliverer's name : — 



VERSES 35 

"Praise God ! He hath avenged His own, for 
willingly they came. 

"The mountains melt before His face, the tribes 

their strength renew ; 
The Lord is mighty and d,oth save by many or 

by few." 

I saw when Gideon led his band down to the 

water's bank 
To prove and set them in array, as man by man 

they drank, 

And with the handful chosen thus went forth 

against the foe, 
And vanquished all the Midian host, and laid 

their princes low. 

Not with the thousands called from far, who 

pitched by Harod's well ; 
Nor yet the undismayed who stood when the 

faint-hearted fell ; 

But "Now, with these three hundred men, go for- 
ward," said the Lord ; 

"Do thou thy part, let them do theirs, trust, and 
obey my word." 

Their torches flashed like dancing flames, their 

trumpets loudly blew ; 
Strange warfare ! but the Lord can save by many 

or by few. 

Once more I saw when Israel quailed before 
Philistia's pride ; 



36 VERSES 

While great Goliath, day by day, Jehovah's power 
defied. 

The weak and timid fled away, the valiant shrank 

with fear; — 
'Twas threatened death or dire defeat, and life 

and fame are dear. 

Even Saul, their chosen king, forgot (admiring 

Israel's boast!) 
That he stood head and shoulders high above his 

martial host. 

"And are there none," he cried, "who dare to 

meet this vaunting foe? 
And must the banner of our God trail in dishonor 

low?" 

Then forth there came a ruddy youth : "That ban- 
ner I'll defend; 

Be it not said our God hath none on whom He 
may depend. 

"Let no heart fail to-day because of this Philis- 
tine's boast ; 

The battle is the Lord's and He will vanquish this 
proud host." 

Then spake he to the giant foe : "A loyal servant I 
Of Israel's God, whose holy name thou darest to 
defy. 

"In that dread name I charge thee stand, and 

shield thee as thou may ; 
The fowls of air, the beasts of earth shall feast on 

thee to-day." 



VERSES 



37 



'Twas but a pebble from the brook, sent by a 

loyal will ; 
But sword and spear not mightier were God's 

purpose to fulfil. 

For one may chase a thousand, and ten thousand 

flee from two ; 
The God of right is strong to save by many or 

by few. 



Years, ages pass and now I see a land beloved 

and fair; 
And lo ! a cruel enemy hath gained possession 

there. 

The riches of this goodly land into his coffers 

pour ; 
Insatiate and unscrupulous, his constant cry is 

"More!" 

"More money clinking in my till, more men — my 

licensed prey; 
More boys to feed my traffic when these men 

have passed away." 

Thus man is robbed of purse and soul, home of 

its peace and joy ; 
The wife of husband is bereft, the mother of her 

boy. 

The land doth mourn. On every side the spoiler 

hath his way ; 
No past oppression hath surpassed this vision of 

to-day. 



38 VERSES 

And who, like Moses, will exchange his self-dis- 
trust and fear 

For faith to meet the encroaching foe and check 
his bold career? 

And who, like Deborah, will arise and lead a val- 
iant band 

To drive the Tyrant from her gates, the Traffic 
from her land ? 

Who will, like Gideon and his men, the light of 

truth dare throw 
On darkest evil, and the trump of coming victory 

blow? 

Or who, like David, will come forth in God's 

great name, alone, 
And lay the boastful giant low, as once with sling 

and stone? 

When Avarice and unholy Pride against the good 

contend. 
The battle is the Lord's and He His people will 

defend. 

The great Red Sea of wrong, while He doth pass, 
shall stand aside ; 

Mountains shall bow before Him, and proud Jor- 
dan's waves divide. 

Each epoch hath its burning bush, and each its 

palm-tree shade ; 
And each its oak of Ophrah, where the pledge of 
peace is made. 



VERSES 39 

And each its fold, where kingly soul in shepherd 

guise is found; 
And when the Master calleth there the place is 

"holy ground." 

Holy the place; but whose the hour? perchance 

He calleth thee, 
Or thee; who, who will answer now, "Lord, here 

am I ; send me ?" 

O, for the love of land and home, make answer 

brave and true ; 
Our God is mighty still to save, by many or by 

few. 



BE YE ALSO READY 

Let us be still before Him. Yet once more 
That voice hath spoken to our startled souls 
Which fell in solemn cadence on the ear 
Of the hushed listeners on Mt. Olive's hill : 
"At eventide, at midnight, or at morn. 
The Son of Man shall come, shall surely come; 
Be ready, for ye may not know the hour." 
And if at eventide, when Nature folds 
Her toil-spent hands and sinks into repose ; 
Or if at midnight hour of gloom Thou come, 
Or when the morning spreads her wings of light, 
Oh make us ready for the solemn call. 
Supply our need, of knowledge, wisdom, grace, 
Dear Lord, that with confiding joy our souls. 
Made pure of sin and strong in faith, may go 
To meet Thee at Thy coming. If the sound 
Of sweet home-voices follow to the brink 
Of death's dark river, as they fainter grow, 



40 VERSES 

Then let us hear Thy still small voice of love ; 
Say to us, "It is I — be not afraid." 
Or if the angel of the icy hand 
Should find us when no human friend is near 
And summon us away, then as we lose 
Our hold of earth and fall away from life, 
O wilt Thou grant our parting spirits may 
Go out in silence and be found with Thee. 



MIMOSA 

A modest plant ; soft shades of green 
In leaflets poised on slender stem; 

And all outspread to catch the glow 
Of morning sun or dew-drop gem. 

But, lo, what change ! When finger-tips 
But touch the leaflets' fringe, the charm 

Of life is gone — Mimosa shrinks, 
As conscious of some present harm. 

So would I have my soul recoil 

From touch of wrong or thought of sin; 
So throw its portals wide again, 

To let the dew and sunshine in. 



VERSES 41 

AT THE CRISIS 

I. THE STEAMBOAT BELLS 

When steamboats approach Mt. Vernon their bells begin to toll, 
and continue the mournful service until tiie sacred spot is again left 
in the distance. 

Mt. Vernon's shade sweet vigil keeps 
Where on her breast her hero sleeps; 
O passing bells, soft be your tone, 
Toll gently for our Washington. 

Toll, the great Warrior's strife is o'er ; 
Toll, for the Statesman pleads no more ; 
Toll — for a Man is fallen — on. 
Peal out your dirge for Washington. 

Toll for a people's wounded heart. 
Toll for a bleeding Nation's smart. 
Toll for a World ! — toll sadly on — 
The world hath lost a Washington. 

Ring out your wailing on the air, 
And let it be a voice of prayer ; 
He whom we greatly need is gone; — 
God give another Washington. 

1863 

Thus while she listened to the mournful knell 
That woke sad echoes on Potomac's shore ; 

Saw how from Sumter's height her banner fell, 
And heard, not distant far, loud battle's roar ; — 

Thus, while she heard the impatient bondman's 
moan. 



42 VERSES 

Knew her own power defied, her trust betrayed ; 
While Treason rose to hurl her from her throne — 
The Spirit of the Union mused and prayed. 

II. — THE EMANCIPATOR 

God gave another ; while we stood 
Aghast before the coming flood 
Of war, and its attending woes. 
The one for whom she prayed arose. 

Blinded and deaf, we knew him not ; 
Yet saw him wipe out slavery's blot; 
Heard him proclaim his people free, 
From lake to gulf, from sea to sea. 

Saw this and heard, but deaf and blind, 
We failed to recognize the Mind, 
Which, going on from strength to strength, 
From grace to grace, had grown at length, 

Thro the stern lessons of the hour. 
Of danger, censure, praise and power. 
To be the Man among us, one, 
Whom now we hail, since he is gone, 
Lincoln, our more than Washington. 

1866 



ON THE DEATH OF DR. JAMES E. RHOADS 

Fallen? No; his part was finished 

In the earthly toil and strife; 
He hath but lain his armor by, 

And entered into life. 



VERSES 43 

Silent? No; tho' hushed forever 

Tones that did hke music thrill. 
Through example, helpful, holy, 

Lo, he speaketh still. 

Vanished? Lost to those that loved him? 

No ; his spirit lingering near 
Still doth woo them, onward, upward, 

Whispering, "Be of cheer." 

Crowned? Aye, crowned in earth and heaven; 

Here with laurels fairly won ; 
There with star-lit diadem, 

Inscribed "Well done ! well done !" 



ETERNAL YOUTH 

Looking in thine eyes of azure. 
Looking on thy hair of gold, 

Once I wished, Evangelina, 

That there were no growing old. 

For I thought of how thy sweet eyes 
Would grow dim with tears and care ; 

How the years would turn to silver 
All thy wealth of golden hair. 

How the lines of life would gather 
O'er the face so placid now ; 

Traces of its toil and struggle 

Touching lip and cheek and brow. 

This I thought, and wished the shadows 
Might not lengthen o'er thy way; 



44 VERSES 

Wished there were no time but spring-time, 
Were no evening of the day. 

Now I fear, EvangeHna, 

That my wish was half a prayer, 

That the listening Father heard me, 
That thou hest, an answer, there. 

For thou Hest in thy beauty, — 
Eyes of bhie and hair of gold, 

Lip and cheek and brow of marble. 
Folded fingers, still and cold ; — 

O my angel, God hath called thee 
Where there is no growing old. 



BUILDING TIA/[E 

The time of the singing of birds is come; 

'Tis the happiest time of the year : 
They are saying, "Let's build us our summer 
home. 

For the frost-king no longer we fear." 

The time of the singing of birds is come. 
And the time of their building, too ; 

With a feather, a straw and a stray bit of gum 
They will shew what bird-builders can do. 

The time of the singing of birds is come: 
I was eaves-dropping under the trees ; 

And as I translated the twitter and hum, 
I thought the words sounded like these: 

"Twirr-a-whirr, twirr-a-whirr, 
The young leaves are astir; 



VERSES 45 

We will make us a nest snug and warm 

On this apple-tree bough — 

We are at it e'en now — 
All secure from intruders and storm. 

" 'Tis for home, 'tis for love, 

'Tis tor heaven above. 
And our roof is the clear azure sky ; 

The foundations we lay 

In this rough straw and clay, 
But we'll line it with moss by and by." 

The time of the singing of birds is here, 

And if under the apple-tree bough 
Orlando and May would a domicile rear. 

Let them hear what the birds tell them now : 

"Build for home, build for love. 

Build for heaven above. 
Build with music and cheer like the birds ; 

And if palace or cot, 

Built of marble or what. 
Line your nest with the moss of kind words." 



SUNRISE 

The incident here narrated occurred some years ago at the Media 
Training School for Feeble- Minded Children, then in care of Dr. I. 
N. Kerlin. 

A feeble, idiot boy, he stood 

Where Nature in her beauty grew, 

And over field and flowering wood 
Her summer mantle lightly threw. 



46 VERSES 

The scene had met his eye before ; 

The pleasant path he oft had trod ; 
And one who sought in simple lore 

To teach him things of heaven and God 

Had often wandered with him there, 
And pointed out each lovely spot, — 

The sunlit cloud — the floweret fair — 
But still he comprehended not. 

For all his soul was void and still, 
And darkness held his mind in thrall; 

He recognized no Sovereign Will, 
Nor saw the hand of God in all. 

In Nature's presence now alone 

He stood, and filled with silent awe, 

Beheld, before the coming sun, 

The curtained Night in haste withdraw. 

And gazing there with vacant eye. 
All motionless and mute he waits, 

When lo ! the chariot of the sky 

Rolls through the morning's crimson gates. 

The orient beams with beauteous light — 
Hath not his soul its radiance caught? 

His being grasps a new delight ; 

A deep, mysterious change is wrought. 

A light is kindled in his breast; 

A temple-veil at length is riven ; 
And in that hour of strange unrest 

A thousfht is born — of God in heaven. 



VERSES 47 

In haste he seeks his tutor's side, 

For he who "bore in grief a part" 
Will, in this happy hour of pride. 

Responsive hail his joy of heart. 

The glowing cheek, the flashing eye, 
The parted lips — not voiceless nozv — 

And, caught from that resplendent sky, 
The marvelous light upon his brow, — 

While these, ere yet he speaks, attest 

The rapture which that thought has given; 

He lifts his finger toward the east 

And softly whispers, "God, in Heaven!" 

O blessed hour ! and happy he 

To whom, thro patient love 'twas given 

To set a fettered spirit free. 

And wake a hope of God in Heaven 

NEAL DOW 

WRITTEN FOR A MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE 

A Soul was Stirred as one thro' blinding tears 
Rehearsed a tale of want and cruel wrong; 

Keen indignation banished doubts and fears ; 
The purpose of imperial youth grew strong. 

A Voice was heard : "Alas ! that on the side 
Of sin and mad oppression there is power. 

But we will change all this, if God so aid" : — 
And Maine's new freedom dated from that hour. 

A Life was given ; fraught with noble deeds ; — 
Aflame with words of truth, and tireless zeal, 



48 VERSES 

And boldness for the right that gave no heed 
To threatening hate, or sycophant's appeal. 

But men decried the fervor of that Soul, 

And would have hushed the Voice that pleaded 
still 

Against the oppressors' power, and such control 
As brought them gain, all others loss and ill. 

And men denounced that Life ; and where it came 
Ofttimes their scoffings tainted the sweet air, 

As with malicious scorn they hailed a name 
That calumny itself left clean and fair. 

And now that Soul hath entered into rest ; 

That Voice is silent, and that peerless Life 
Hath crossed the threshold where the good and 
blest 

Enter, and cease from sorrow, toil and strife. 

O Life and Voice and Soul ! O princely one ! 

Our loyal hearts send greeting to thee now ; 
Thy name has lighted near a century gone, — 

'Twill brighten ages yet to come, Neal Dow. 



"PARADISE WILL PAY FOR ALL" 

LAST WORDS OF SAMUEL A. PURDIE 

From the charm of idle pleasure. 

From Ambition's siren song, 
From the rush for earthly treasure 

Of the busy, careless throng ; 
In the dawn of life's fair morning 

He had heard the Master's call ; 



VERSES 49 

"Yea, I come," his heart made answer, 
"Paradise will pay for all." 

On through years of toil and struggle 

Walked he, faithful to his word ; 
Blameless life and kind entreaty 

Leading many to the Lord. 
Meeting dangers, bearing burdens 

Well might stoutest heart appal ; 
But to every doubt replying, 

"Paradise will pay for all." 

Now at eve, toil-spent and weary, 

Pierced with pain the pilgrim lay; 
Watching still with faith triumphant 

For the dawn of brighter day. 
Then upon his ear there falleth 

Once again the Master's call : 
"Come up higher." "Yea," he answers, 

"Paradise will pay for all." 



FORGIVENESS 

Father in Heaven, I thank Thee for this hour, 
This blessed hour wherein my contrite soul 
Humbled and happy bows itself to Thee, 
Pleading that all its error and its sin 
May be forgiven — even as I forgive. 

The cruel wrong swept o'er me like a flood ; 
And my hurt soul in fierce defiance rose, 
And all forgetful that itself could sin 
Heaped heavy hatred on the ofifender's head. 
There came a calmer hour in which I saw 
The strong temptation that had moved him thus 



50 VERSES 

To barter all his better life away — 
Love, honor, principle — to gain the world. 
And seeing this I learned to pity him. 
For well I knew the bauble he had won 
Would only mock him with its faithless glare; 
And well I knew the golden fruit he grasped 
Would be but dust and ashes in his hand ; 
And knowing this I learned to pity him. 
And as my pity grew it turned to prayer — 
That when the glitter of the gold was gone, 
And the sweet fruit was bitter to his taste ; 
When the sad memory of the slighted past 
Came, and made deeper still the present gloom, 
The darkness might be lifted, and the Soul, 
Self-robbed and famishing, might find its way 
To the green pastures and the springs of life. 
That in the heart whence love and joy had fled. 
Whence hope was exiled, there might yet be peace. 
But suddenly I queried in my heart 
What power had moved me that I should have 

prayed 
For him I counted as my life-long foe. 
Greatly I marveled what it meant that thus 
I had called down such blessing upon him — 
The kindliest boon of heaven, the peace of God. 
Deep in my soul there came an answering voice: 
"O Child, it is but this — thoic hast forgiven!" 

Then thanks, O Father, for this plessed hour. 
Wherein my soul, by Thine own Spirit taught. 
Prays with no mockery of words Thy prayer: 
"Forgive my trespasses, as I forgive." 



VERSES 51 



A LOST SONG? 

Horror of combat, and tumult and dread; 

Thunder of cannon and bursting of bomb; 
Moans of the wounded (who envy the dead) 
Lost in the clamor of trumpet and drum. 
O where is the song of the angels? 

O when shall we hear it again ? 
"Peace on earth," rang the chorus seraphic, 
"And good will evermore among men." 

Here is fierce anger and hatred and death, 

Pitiless slaughter of pitiless foe ; 
Blessings and curses poured forth in a breath; 
Brave self-forgetting, and measureless woe. 
But where is the song of the angels? 

O when shall we hear it again? 
"Peace on earth," rang the chorus seraphic, 
"And good will evermore among men." 

Blue waves of ocean are reddened with gore, 

Victor and victim earth holds to her breast ; 
Hearts that will thrill with ambition no more ; 
Heads that so lately fond mothers caressed. 
O where is the song of the angels ? 

O when shall we hear it again ? 
"Peace on earth." rang the chorus seraphic, 
"And good will evermore among men." 

Victory, purchased at infinite cost. 
Honors and titles so fearfully won. 

Fame, at the price of lives blighted and lost, 
Graves, all unnoted, unnumbered, unknown. 
O where is the sons: of the angfels ? 



52 VERSES 

Dear Christ, let us hear it again ; 
"Peace on earth," send the chorus seraphic, 
''Peace on earth, and good will among 
men." 



A NEW EARTH 

I have dreamed a sweet dream ; I have seen a 
fair vision ; 

I have looked the wide universe o'er ; 
And earth's nations arise in a glory elysian — 

They do not learn war any more. 

There are music and mirth ; there are childhood's 
sweet voices, 
Winsome age lends its placid charm there ; 
There are laughter and glee as when home-life 
rejoices 
Unshadowed by sorrow or care. 

In all noble achievement, all worthy endeavor, 

Men in kindly ambition contend ; 
But the valiant of heart may yet know he hath 
ever 

In his sturdiest foeman a friend. 

Nevermore the proud boast or the haughty de- 
fiance ; — 

Without end shall His kingdom increase ; 
'Tis the day of all nations in Holy Alliance, 

'Tis the reign of truth, justice, and peace. 

Nevermore shall a nation lift sword against na- 
tion, 
The dominion of Hatred is o'er ; 



VERSES 53 

'Tis the triumph of Love, 'tis the dawn of Christ's 
kingdom, 
They shall not learn war any more. 



RECALL 

Put up thy sword, O Nation, grand and strong! 

Call in thy fleet-winged missiles from the sea; 
Art thou not great enough to suffer wrong, 

Land of the brave, the freest of the free? 

Put up thy sword. 'Tis nobler to endure 
Than to avenge thee at another's cost ; 

And while thy claim and purpose are made sure, 
Behold that other's life and honor lost. 

Put up thy sword. It hath not hushed the cry 
That called it all too rashly from its sheath ; 

Still o'er the fated isle her children lie 

And find surcease from anguish but in death. 

Put up thy sword, O Country, strong and free, 
Let strife and avarice and oppression cease; 

So shall the world thy Star of Empire see 

Resplendent o'er the heaven-touched hills of 
Peace. 



54 VERSES 

PHILISTIA'S TRIUMPH 

I Samuel 4: 10, 11; 7: 3. 

(written on the defeat of the prohibition amend- 
ment IN PENNSYLVANIA.) 

They fought with lances in that ancient day, 

With sword and spear and arrow deftly sped. 
At eventide the hosts of Israel lay 

Vanquished and spoiled, the dying with the 
dead ; 

And the Ark of God was taken. 

They fought with ballots in our nearer day ; 

From morn to eve the light-winged missiles 
flew ; 
Again Philistia's triumph brought dismay, 

And Wrong, victorious, struggling Virtue slev/. 
And the Ark of God was taken. 

O ye to whom the sacred trust was given 
To guard the altar and the ark of God, 

Have ye been recreant to the charge of heaven. 
That thus we fall before the avenging ro(5. 
And the Ark of God is taken ? 

Rouse from your shameful slumbers. Put away 
Your strange gods from among you. Turn 
again ; 
That in the drawing of some nobler day 
The hosts of sin may be rebuked of men. 
And the Ark of God re-taken. 



VERSES 55 

THE WHITE RIBBON ARMY 

(Air: King Bibbler's Army.) 
FOR M. B. T. 

In the years, years ago, when the true-hearted 
women, 
Started forth on their errand of prayer, 
Many said, " 'Tis the cry of the Home for pro- 
tection" ; 
Many said, " 'Tis dehision and snare." 
Some said, softly, "God bless you" ; some mur- 
mured, "Mistaken" ; 
Some the swift shafts of cakimny hurled ; 
But they went bravely forward, a praying proces- 
sion, 
Marching out, out, out in the world. 

Chorus 

Hark ! hark ! a trembling chorus : 

No, no, no, no ; 
We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us ; 
No, no, no, no; 
And now to save our young men the White- 
Ribbon Army 
Marches on, on, on round the world. 

At the head of the host came the silver-haired 
mothers, 
Arm in arm with the daughters so fair; 
While the wives for their husbands, the girls for 
their brothers. 
Raise their voices to heaven in prayer. 
As their pleadings prevail, and "the worst foe" 
surrenders. 



56 VERSES 

The white banner of peace is unfurled; 
And we now may behold them, a joyful proces- 
sion, 
Marching on, on, on round the world. 

Chorus 

Hark ! hark ! a swelling chorus : 

No, no, no, no; 
We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us ; 
No, no, no, no; 
And oh to save our country the White-Ribbon 
Army 

Marches on, on, on round the world. 

They have entered the gates of the Empire Ce- 
lestial, 
They have compassed the Isles of the Sea, 
And they carry glad tidings of good to all people, 

From the land of the brave and the free. 
On the peeress of England, on Afric's dark 
daughter, 
Is the white-ribbon emblem now twirled ; 
And the army moves onward, a dauntless pro- 
cession, 
Marching on, on, on round the world. 

Chorus 

Hark! hark! a ringing chorus: 

No, no, no, no ; 
We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us; 
No, no, no, no ; 
And lo ! to save all nations the White-Ribbon 
Army 

Marches on, on, on round the world. 



VERSES 57 

CHRISTMAS 

Dawn of glory ! radiant morn ! 
To-day the Christ, our King, is born. 
Our King, our Saviour, Son of Man, 
And Son of God — all-wondrous plan ! 
A Virgin's joy; a world's salvation; 
Humblest type of exaltation ! 
Highest form of life despised ; 
Visage marred, and beauty prized. 
By angels heralded on high ; 
By men abhorred and doomed to die. 
Entombed secure 'neath seal and stone ; 
Uprisen to the Eternal Throne ! 
Hail, blessed light ! Hail glorious morn ! 
The Wonderful, the Christ is born ! 



"A DAY IN JUNE " 

The Early Dawn looked out upon the world 
And cried, "How beautiful a world to be!" 
The Dawn herself was beautiful to see ; 
Her hair of glowing golden light uncurled 
About a face of clear serenity. 
Whereon rose-tinted smiles played daintily and 
free. 
"Aye, fair the earth," she said, "most fair — an4 

yet 
How can I for one briefest space forget 
How dark a stain its loveliness doth mar; 
A stain, a scourge, the cruel curse of war ! 
Even now I dimly see and faintly hear 
The clang of drum, the clash of sword and spear." 
And pale with pity, swift she shrank away. 
Leaving the world and war to broader day. 



58 VERSES 

The Sun at noon looked down upon the world ; 
From depths of vast ethereal blue looked down. 
And mused, "You far, fair Earth, sure we must 
crown 
Queen of the Universe. Great flags unfurled 
O'er her bright waters witness high renown 
Won by her creature, Man; aye, bring for 
Earth a crown ! 

Yet stay — there riseth over Afric plains 

A cloud of battle-smoke ; with crimson stains 

Her rivers run ; her hills and meadows fair, 

Trampled by hostile hordes, lie waste and bare. 

And yonder, in the islands of the sea, 

A people struggle vainly to be free ; 

And everywhere the banners of fair fame 

Trail in the dust of hatred, greed and shame. 

No crown for Earth ; I mourn so bright a star 

Lost in the chaos of consuming war." 

And veiled in robe of woe, he went his way, 

Borne by the passing hours to close of day. 

The twilight lingered, and the Evening Star 
Looked back upon the world and whispered 

low: 
"These who have spoken surely could not 
know : — 

Earth is a great, pure pearl, and seems from far 
Set with fair homes, like gems ; in amber glow. 
Or emerald green, or gold or roseate snow. 

But hush ! In palace hall a bitter cry ; 

A mangled hero is borne in to die ; 

And in yon lowly cot, a widow's moan ; — 

A mother's heart-break o'er her only son. 

Alas ! 'tis true. Earth's battle-fields destroy 

Her noblest manhood ; rob her homes of joy." 



VERSES 59 

And sad the Star of Evening sank from sight, 
While Earth lay shrouded in the gloom of night. 

But from afar — beyond the Morning's birth, 
Beyond the depths whence Sun looked down on 

earth, 
Beyond the dreamy distance of the Star, — 
A voice proclaimed : "They shall no more learn 

war." 



TO-DAY 

Light on my pathway, blessed Lord, 

The light of life, I pray ; 
O, let the glory of Thy word 

Shine o'er my life to-day. 

I cry to Thee for present help. 
Turn not my prayer away ; 

O Strength and Refuge of Thine own, 
Keep Thou my soul to-day. 

My willing but uncertain feet 
Guide in Thy chosen way; 

And let Thy grace sufficient be 
For all my need to-day. 



LOSING VICTORIES 

My 'Infant Class' one summer morn, 
Was gathered in the maple shade 

Near the church door, and there we talked 
Of the fair world our Lord had made — 



6o VERSES 

The swaying trees upon the hill, 

The waving grain, the shadowy grove- 
Till every little heart seemed filled 
With the sweet sense of Jesus' love. 

A query came : Dear little ones. 
As days go by what shall we do — 

Since Jesvis has so loved us all — 
To show him that we love him too? 

"Fll mind mama," said wilful Tim; 

And Ben, "I'll carry in the wood;" 
Said Mary, "I will lessons learn ;" 

While Dimple lisped, 'T will be dood." 

And how will Helen show her love? 

She, with a wistful glance at Rose — 
A sweet, but pale and timid child — 

Replied, "By giving up, I 'spose." 

Dear girl ! To fragile sister Rose 
She oft must yield her will and way; 

But now this duty shall disclose 
Her love for Jesus, day by day. 

Oh oft, were we but wise, we'd find 
Our triumph in another's gain; 

On glowing altar — coals of love — 
Would joy to see self-idols slain. 

In simplest ways the soul may drink 
With Christ the sacrificial cup, 

And many a victory is won, 

And nobly won, by 'giving up.' 



VERSES 6i 



NOT MINE 



Thy will, Thy way, not mine, O blessed Lord ; 
My will would choose the smooth and pleasant 

way. 
And that might lead from duty's path astray; 
Nay, I would walk "according to Thy word," 
Choosing Thy way, not mine. 

Thy peace, my gracious Saviour, would I choose, 
My peace might lead me man, not God, to 

please, 
IMight lure my soul to take its selfish ease, 
And, gaining all the world, itself to lose. 
Give me Thy peace, not mine. 

Thy will. Thy way. Thy peace. Thou knowest 
best; 
Let me but see the guiding of Thine eye, 
Let me but know Thy voice, and swift reply 
My soul shall make to every know behest. 
Doing Thy will, not mine. 



IN THE DESERT 

Ah me ! what life since hers in age agone 

Hath not known Hagar's hour in desert wild; 
Outcast from sheltering home, adrift, alone. 

Bereft of love's sweet ministry, her child — 
Her heart's one treasure — late so fond and fair. 
Become a burden more than she could bear; 
All earth and sky a strange enfolding scroll 
Writ o'er with nameless pain and sense of need 
To which nor pitying eye nor ear gave heed 



62 VERSES 

Till came the thought of God. Even so the 
soul, 
Consumed with vain regret and doubt and dread — 
As she upon the barren sand her boy — 
Lays all it once had counted hope and joy 
Upon the desolate waste itself had spread; 
Self-abnegating, tho with bitter cry — 
"I yield thee, but I cannot see thee die." 
But, passing thence, the agonizing plea 
Faith transforms into tuneful harmony, 
Glad to remember "Thou, God, seest me." 



A PHANTOM IN THE "CIRCLE " 

Written for a literary club, to which the author had formerly be- 
longed, in Waterford, Va. 

Start not, good friends ; there was a time 

When I, whom fate, in kindly mood, 
Made brief sojourner in your clime, 

Was glad partaker of the good 
That from your "Circle" emanated; 
And as the seven days went 'round 
The appointed "Fourth-day evening" found 
Me with its members congregated. 
And also now I recognize 
The smiling lips and beaming eyes 
Of some, who, cordial, kind and free, 
Had smiles and loving words for me. 
Who, when I entered rose to greet, 
And welcome gave, sincere and sweet. 
But that was years ago, and now 
There may be wrinkles on my brow ; 
There may have fled from form and face 
The transient charms of youth and grace. 



VERSES 63 

And time and sadness may have thrown 
A shadow o'er the "chestnut brown" 
Of locks that once — well, let that pass ; — 

These are but sorrowful reflections, 
And, like those of my looking-glass, 

Do but discover imperfections ; 
So let us leave this train of thought 

And start in happier directions. 
But first I think it may be due 
Alike unto myself and you, 
Lest some should think I may have brought 
My ghostly presence here unsought, 

To make this note of explanation : — 
That not for pride, or praise, or gloom, 
Or curious motive am I come ; 

Nor yet for want of occupation ; 
Far from intruding thus, I would 
Have it distinctly understood 

I'm here by "special invitation." 

Here ! and my phantom pulses quicken ! 

Pale memories gather round me fast, 
And now they grow, and gleam, and thicken, 
And fan me with their wings of light, 
And bear me to a realm more bright 
Than fairy land or elfin home. 
Or that sweet world whence dreams do come 

The heaven of a happy Past ! 



Familiar faces on me smile. 

Remembered voices greet my ear. 

And social converse gives the while, 
The old-time wisdom and good cheer. 



64 VERSES 

But while we're all engaged in chat, 
Of work, of weather, and all that. 

And voices rise and smiles grow broader, 
Presiding dignity comes forth 
With modest but "amazing" worth 

And calls the whole concern to order. 
Then "minutes" penned by snow-white hand, 
Approved without dissension stand ; 
And hushed is all the talk and noise 
The while some soft or manly voice 
From gifted author doth unfold 
Before us treasures new and old. 
We grant them rare, yet lay them by 
Our intellectual strength to try 

In essay, speech, or declamation ; 
We reverence the might of mind. 
But here our home-spun thoughts still find 

A kindlier appreciation. 
With hushed breath and eyes that glisten. 
To some fine argument we listen, 
From one with head so full of lore 
That to prevent its brimming o'er 

He must impart his information. 
The which he does "by book and rule," 
Achieving in the village school 

A never-ceasing reformation. 
With rapt attention now we hear 
A discourse upon Sound and Ear, 

Wherein is beautifully blended. 
The Science and the History, 
The Knowledge and the Mystery 

So fair, when fairly comprehended. 
Then some poetic brain is fired, 

Some secret spring unlocked, for 
A brother brings, with love inspired. 
Kind thoughts in glowing words attired, 



VERSES 65 

And prays at once with heart and pen — 
And all the people say Amen — 
"God bless the Country Doctor." 

And "lesser lights" send out a gleam 

Of intellectual glory; 
And many a grave or playful theme, 
Or fact profound, or doubtful dream, 

Or song, or allegory 
Beguiles the gloom of winter night. 
And makes the slow hours swift and light ; 
To social pleasure adds a charm. 
Makes young hearts wise and old hearts warm, 

And Life a pleasant story. 



friends, I live it o'er again ! 

1 cross the gulf 'twixt Now and Then. 
And live that happy time again ; 

Its varied joy and brightness, all — 
The crowded room, the lighted hall. 

The merry laugh, the friendly nod — 
And bless the Fate that brought — but no. 
Let us not read these chances so — 

Fate is the Sovereign will of God; 

He marks the paths by mortals trod ; 
And He appoints our joy and woe. 
Then bless we God, whose gracious hand 

Hath led us gently on our way ; 
By whose good will to-day we stand 

Rejoicing that we live to-day. 
By whose sweet mercy yet we trust 
That all of us which is not dust. 
From time and toils of earth shall rise 
To nobler life beyond the skies. 



66 VERSES 



A VALENTINE 

Up in the same sweet heaven, 

Though parted far, 
We two may see at even 

The same bright star. 

So the same blessed guide-star 

Of Love divine 
Illumines with its glory 

Thy path and mine. 

When thoughts of these, of heaven 

And love are thine, 
Be one kind memory given 

Thy Valentine. 



A CONVENTION HYMN 

Bless us now, our Heavenly Father, 

As we gather once again 
And unite our hearts and voices 

In a grateful, glad refrain ; 
Praises for a Father's bounty. 

Praises for a Saviour's reign. 

Guide us by thy Holy Spirit, 
Lead us in thy perfect way ; 

Show us as we strive to serve Thee, 
What to do and what to say ; 

Teach us how to work and suffer. 
How to watch and how to pray. 

Gracious Lord, we come with pleading 
For our tempted brother's sin ; 



VERSES 67 

At the open door of mercy 

Praying Thou wilt tal<e him in. 
Sin-sick, heart-sore and repentant, 

Let him now new life begin. 

And we bring our sister, moaning 

Over blighted hope and home ; 
Robbed of all life's best possessions 

By the ruthless spoiler — Rum, 
To her rest in Thy compassion. 

Bid the heavy-laden "Come." 

And we pray, O God of Nations, 

That thine outstretched arm of might, 

May rebuke this prowling evil. 

May drive back the powers of night. 

And preserve us Home and Country 
Overruled by Love and Right. 



A COLLECTION SONG 

FOR THE LOYAL TEMPERANCE LEGION 

Kind friends, we thank you, one and all, 

For giving such attention. 
While we've arraigned Old Alcohol, 

And of his faults made mention. 
And if you'd like to see him now 

Put "in a pretty pickle," 
Just lend a hand and help us on 

By giving us a nickel. 

He stalks the earth from east to west, 
A deal of mischief doing; 



68 VERSES 

But we are "on the war-path" now, 

Old Alcohol pursuing. 
So if you'd like to see him caught 

And punished for his crime, sir, 
Just lend a hand and help us on 

By tossing us a dime, sir. 

He robs our homes of peace and joy ; 

He fills the land with sighing ; 
Sets snares and pitfalls for our feet, 

(He'd better be a-dying.) 
So if you think he should be slain, 

As we believe he'd or'ter, 
Just lend a hand and help us on 

By handing out a quarter. 

He boasts himself a King — by law 

And license well protected ; 
But now "the children are a-field" 

We'll have him soon ejected. 
So if you'd see us tackle him, 

And take him by the collar, 
Just lend a hand and help us on 

By dropping in a dollar. 



THE BALLAD OF THE BOUNDARY LINE 

"Here shall the Boundary Line be laid." 
"Not so, but here," the other said. 

Clamor of contest ran fierce and high, — 

Defiant challenge and proud reply. 

For heights of the Andes rose between 
The Chilean States and the Argentine ; 



VERSES 69 

And the mooted question, day by day, 

Was "What doth Hmit my neighbor's sway?" 

The sunlight rose and the shadows fell 
On either slope, but none could tell 
Just where the morning's magic wand 
Touched the Argentine or Chile land. 

Fair in their verdure, pure in their snow, 

So near to heaven their summits go — 

Why should they ever by man be trod ? 

'T would seem they should only belong to God. 

But the strife went on with passing years, 
Fed by resentment and pride and fears ; 
Nor priest nor people could yet define 
The rightful range of the Boundary Line. 

The strife went on with its loss and shame, 
As generations went and came, 
And each in its turn the task essayed 
To solve the problem so long delayed. 



Then kinder, kinglier thought prevailed. 
Where threat of sword and gun had failed; 
And love-illumined reason wrought 
The adjustment long so vainly sought. 

"For how can a trifle of earth and air 
With the worth of human lives compare ? 
And what can it matter if thine or mine 
Be the narrow side on the Boundary Line? 



70 VERSES 

"And why should greed and grim distrust 
Despoil us of our faith and trust? 
Enough, enough, let us pledge our word 
To settle by judgment, not by sword. 

"Let us heed the counsel our good priests bring, 
And raise the standard of Christ our King, 
And the here or there of the Boundary Line 
Let God and the British king define." 

Then the mother-heart of the nation stirred, 
As the fair De Costa's plea was heard : 
"Fathers and brothers ! warriors, men ! 
Shall we give our bravest to death and pain? 

"Shall we hush our hearts as we see them go — 
God pity ! — to strive with a brother foe ? 
Long we have waited, have suffered and prayed 
For a joy still denied us, a hope still delayed. 

"Enough ; let the sun in highest heaven 
Pencil the line for which you have striven ; 
Let a princely people on either side 
In friendship and fair accord abide; 

"Be the strife of the past to the wild winds swept ; 
The faith of the future unswervingly kept; 
And let 'The Christ of the Andes' rest 
In token of peace on the mountain's crest." 

Grandly the people made reply ; 
The pledge was taken, the arms laid by, 
And glad thanksgiving and festal song 
Witnessed the joy of the gathered throng. 



VERSES 71 

Joy ! for the strife of the past was o'er; 
Joy ! for the promise of war no more ; 
Joy in the gladness of land and home, 
Joy for the world-wide peace to come. 

On snow-tipped height of the Andean range 
They planted the statue fair and strange ; 
And there, to the query of the sky. 
Its bronze and granite make reply: 

'I witness the failure of the sword, , 

The victory of the Love-sent word ; 
To dust may crumble rock and hill. 
This pledge of nations abideth still." 



So now the Boundary Line is laid ; 
Christ in the heart hath the conflict stayed ; 
And now doth "the Christ of the Andes" rest 
In token of peace on the mountain's crest. 



MARGARET LEE 

Margaret Lee — you do not know her? 

Rightly named — a pearl is she ; 
Half a score of years I've loved her — 

Precious Margaret Lee. 

"Dimples?" No; nor "golden tresses," 
Nor yet "voice of silvery tone" ; — 

If such phrases must express her, 
Beauty she has none. 



72 VERSES 

Soft brown hair and grey eyes dreaming 
Visions that none others see ; 

Plain her features ; you might call her 
Homely Margaret Lee. 

Margaret owns no stately mansion, 

Carries not a heavy purse ; 
Heiress to no "lordly acres," 

Humble station hers. 

Quietly she treads life's highway ; 

Quiet, yet with noble mien ; 
'Mid the lowly, 'mid the lofty 

Journeying like a queen. 

Some have called her cold and haughty. 
From her bearing, high and free ; 

Some have said a lofty spirit 
Dwells with Margaret Lee. 

Why then do the "heavy-laden" 
Hail with joy her coming nigh? 

Why the childern love her shadow 
As she passeth by? 

Some have deemed her weak, erratic. 

Some, too self-reliant, strong ; 
One avers, her mood too gloomy ; 

One, too light her song. 

All may be ; the clouds of error 
Ofttimes overshade her way. 

Hiding where the rough and changeful 
Paths of duty lay. 

But unseen by mortal vision 
Daily bends a suppliant knee ; 



VERSES 73 



Humbly bows a contrite spirit — 
Praying Margaret Lee — 

Asking of the All-forgiving 
Pardon for her erring life ; 

Seeking wisdom, faith and patience 
For its coming strife. 

So with footstep sometimes faltering, 
But with steadfast hope in God, 

Keeps she still a blithesome journey 
O'er the earthly road. 

And at last all loss and failure 

Lost in mercy, it may be 
Heaven's gate of pearl will open 

For sweet Margaret Lee. 

There redeemed from sin and sorrow, 
There from care and conflict free ; 

She will walk the angel city, 
Angel Margaret Lee. 



74 VERSES 



SOARING UPWARD 

A. G. M., lingering on the threshold of eternity, looked lovingly 
back to tell of the glory revealed to her purified vision. "Angels are 
waiting," she whispered, "and all is beautiful, beautiful." Then, as 
her spirit winged its happy way, a sweet murmur again was heard, 
and the words were : "Soaring upward, upward into Heaven." 

They call thee dead. They say that thou art gone, 
Forevermore from earth. It is not so ; 

I know thy gentle spirit will return 

And linger fondly round the loved below. 

They call thee dead. And now thou art not ours ; 

"God touched thee," for thy work on earth was 
done. 
Thy presence was to us like summer flowers ; 

And they are faded now ; and thou art gone. 

I had not thought, fair girl, that thou couldst die ; 

I knew thee gentle, innocent and gay ; 
And dreamed not that the brightness of thine eye, 

Was destined thus so soon to fade away. 

'Tis well : "He giveth His beloved sleep," — 
O Sleeper, thou so early loved and blest ! 

Say, were it wrong, if we who linger weep. 
And long to sleep, like thee, and be at rest? 

Ay, we who linger should not idlers be ; 

Day hath appointed work from morn till even • 
And while we wait 'tis sweet to think of thee 

As "soaring upward, upward into heaven !" 



VERSES 75 



THE END OF THE ROAD 

Do you wonder at my smiling? 

Do you wonder that I faint not 'neath the burden 
of my load? 
O, the gloom and toil and duty 
Change to light and praise and beauty 

While I'm looking toward the end of the road. 

Though the way is long and dreary, 
And I languish for a happier, a more serene abode, 
As the light of earth grows dimmer, 
Looking up, I see the glimmer 
Of its glory at the end of the road. 

Though the talent seemeth meager, 
And my Sovereign Lord doth gather, ever, where 
He hath not strowed. 

Yet I would not therefore spurn it, 

But "with usury" return it. 
At His coming at the end of the road. 

Though I now go forth with weeping, 
If I bear the precious seed which the Master 
would have sowed, 
I shall come again with singing. 
Sheaves of plenty with me bringing 
To His harvest at the end of the road. 

Peace shall follow tribulation : 
This the boon Divine Compassion upon mortal 
hath bestowed ; 

Heavy now the cross I'm bearing; 

Bright the crown I'll soon be wearing 
In the Temple at the end of the road. 



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